stairwell
Building's step shaft
A stairwell is the vertical shaft or enclosed space containing a staircase in a building.
The term emphasizes the architectural cavity rather than the stairs themselves: The fire alarm sent everyone rushing to the stairwell.
In emergencies, stairwells serve as evacuation routes when elevators shut down.
Descent's final moment
- banisterStairway handrail support
- handrailBar for gripping on stairs
- balustradeRail supported by posts
- newelRailing's supporting post
riser · tread · stringer · foyer · vestibule · mezzanine · shaft · enclosure
Reflected sound wave
- reverberationProlonged reflected sound
- footstepsSounds of walking
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
acoustics · noise · whisper · clatter · shuffle · creak · slam · voices
Low in light
- shadowyObscured by darkness
- enclosedSurrounded and sealed within
- confinedKept within bounds
- utilitarianPrioritizing function over beauty
industrial · bare · stark · musty · drafty · cold · fluorescent · claustrophobic
Narrow vertical passage
- heightVertical extent upward
- floorsWalking surfaces inside
- storiesAccounts or building levels
- elevationHeight above reference point
drop · plunge · upward · downward · towering · highrise · tall · multistory
landing
Descent's final moment
- banisterStairway handrail support
- handrailBar for gripping on stairs
- balustradeRail supported by posts
newel · riser · tread · stringer · foyer · vestibule · mezzanine · shaft · enclosure · railings
echo
Reflected sound wave
- reverberationProlonged reflected sound
- footstepsSounds of walking
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
amplification · acoustics · noise · whisper · clatter · shuffle · creak · slam · voices · sound
dim
Low in light
utilitarian · industrial · bare · stark · musty · drafty · cold · fluorescent · claustrophobic · secluded
climb
Ascend using effort
fall · trudge · rush · sprint · stumble · leap · bound · skip · dash · hurry
shaft
Narrow vertical passage
elevation · drop · plunge · upward · downward · towering · highrise · tall · multistory · levels
helix
Spiraling three-dimensional curve
coil · curved · twist · volute · circular · wraparound · sweeping · rotation
evacuation
Removal from danger
refuge · safety · drill · egress · fireproof · pressurized · signage
- high-riseshigh-rise, highrise, elevator, balconies, floor number
- apartment termspenthouse, studio apartment, loft apartment, condo tower, apartment tower
- tenementsapartment, railroad flat, railroad apartment, cold water flat, walk-ups
- basementsbasement walls, basement door, basement bar, finished basement, cellar
- building amenitiespool, restroom, bathroom, spa, elevator
- building featuresentrance, entrances, exits, lobby, lobbies
stairwellelevator shaft
Vertical enclosure for lifts
lift shaft · elevator · lift · escalator · freight elevator
stairwellhallway
Interior connecting passage
corridor · passageway · gallery · breezeway